be like an old edifice altered and enlarged, that always retains some of the defects and inconveniences of its first state and at all events always showing and reminding one of it, and where nothing is of a piece. This seems the more likely result: nevertheless with judgement and skill these consequences of such an attempt might possibly be in part avoided; only that it may be assumed against the performance that one competent thereto would probably not undertake it, but prefer to erect a structure of his own rather than thus merely aim at improving that of another.

THIS task, a Versification of THE PSALMS from the English Text, may be considered in much the same light as a Translation from one language into another; with only the difference, and certainly one of some importance and in this case very gratifying, that, saving some few immaterial exceptions, there can be no misunderstanding the Original; as its sense is perfectly clear, and admitted and consented to on all hands so to be, without difference of opinion.

Considering this Work, then, as purely Translation, and of Prose into Verse and this of the lyrical form, it may not be out of place to make a remark on the system (so to call it) here followed, and the reasons that have influenced its adoption. This will also serve to suggest the difficulties of the task to those to whom they may not have occurred; and to offer an excuse_partly at least for any want of success in its execution; and which may explain the failure where it has been of our antecessors in the attempt, as possibly that of those who may yet come after ourselves.

It is hardly necessary to remark that the verbal character of THE (Hebrew) PSALMS (as generally of

THE OLD TESTAMENT) is that of A combination of the greatest simplicity force and beauty, coupled at the same time with a very peculiar idiomaticalness belonging to the Country and Age of their production. This has in general been very admirably preserved by our English Translators (whether in THE BIBLE or LITURGY VERSION, for the difference between these is but trifling+) who, tho with occasional reference to the

*It is but just to say that the French Protestant Bibles generally are also perfectly well done, and very much preserving that original character; tho of course this will not be so apparent to a Foreigner as to one with whom the language is vernacular.

+ Many Persons are not aware of any difference between them; not taking notice of it, naturally imagining that there is but One Recognised or Authorised Version_ that of THE BIBLE and thence inserted in THE LITURGY. And indeed (saying this with deference) the propriety expediency of using Two different Versions may perhaps be questioned.

or

As to the facts of the case, however, The BIBLE Psalms stand there as part of that New Translation made in King James the 1st's time 1611, and put forth as The Authorised Bible, superseding all previous ones. Those in THE COMMON PRAYER BOOK are from an older Version in the so-called Cranmer's or "The Great Bible" of 1539; and were retained in use in The Liturgy when the abovesaid New Bible was published; probably not to disturb too violently all old associations at once by such an entire change, especially as The Psalms were always so favourite a portion of Scripture and so much more in common use than any other part of it. But, tho this concession was tacitly made to public feeling for the time, it can hardly be supposed they were intended to remain always in use, as evidently thro oversight or negligence they have done ever since.

Besides dating at an interval of nearly a Century, as they were by other hands there was unavoidably a difference between them: But this is generally very little, and more in the wording than the sense. The LITURGY Psalms were

Greek Version of THE SEPTUAGINT and especially in the LITURGY one, had evidently the Original Hebrew in their minds' eye as well as before them, and so most happily succeeded in imparting to their Versions as much of that peculiar character as could possibly be done in a Translation; and for which our own rich powerful and plastic language possessed especial aptitude, and lent itself with the most successful pliancy, perfectly blending in the happiest combination the raciness of its vernacular "English undefiled" with the native Hebrew. It has justly been observed that, in order to effect this, they made use generally of a phraseology not altogether that of their own day but somewhat older, at the same time avoiding the quaintness and harshness of expression usually concomitant with it: thus giving to their Work that mellowness of antiquity which made it at once what it should be without the maturating process of time; while unapproachably simple and sublime in both its subject and language, graced with all the

pretty evidently done from the Greek Bible_THE SEPTUAGINT, or perhaps rather from its translation the Latin Vulgate while The BIBLE ones were directly from the Hebrew, and are accordingly more close to it where the two Versions vary.

Some think the language of the LITURGY Version preferable to that of THE BIBLE, as older and thus more simple and Scriptural but in this there is very little difference, as both have occasional passages better in one than the other. The real advantage seems to be on the side of habit, and therefor with the former, from its being more familiar to us in its Sunday's use.

All this, and more such here, is of course not said for those who do not need to be told it; and, if a fault, it may

be hopedis not on the wrong side: where information is to be given, excess is surely better than deficiency.

venerableness of age and the imperishable charms of intrinsic and inherent beauty.*

To endeavour at improving this would be merely presumptuous; gilding refined gold, or throwing a perfume on the violet; as it could but be injured by any whatever alteration. All that can be attempted or hoped for in presenting it in another dress, the somewhat varied shape of Verse, is to preserve as much as possible in every particular all-not only of its essential points_but those that are in any way peculiar to or characteristic of it, as much as can be done in combination with a metrical form, and occasionally suiting the language to a somewhat more modernized expression: This is what has here been attempted; tho always avoiding the use of words or phrases not distinctly conveying the sense they are intended to bear, unless those having-conventionally at least such a Scriptural and appropriated meaning.

It has here been assumed as a principle that The best manner of representing THE PSALMS in a form fitted to be sung in Churches, after the old and still accustomed method, is The simplest adaptation of their words to measured verse. In pursuance of this we

* AS THE BIBLE comes to our hands ready-made, it never occurs to us to think about the manner in which it was done, nor to consider the great ability and immense labour bestowed upon it, translating into most choice yet the simplest english from a language so difficult as the hebrew and so little cultivated as it then was: and we thus unreflectingly give but very little of their due meed of praise to the learned and excellent men by whom the Work was achieved, and who really seem to have been aided by a sort of secondary inspiration in the admirable execution of their great task. But theirs was one of those few human labours that pay themselves, and in which they must have had an abundant reward.

have aimed to give the very words of the Text, of (as already said) whether the Bible or Liturgy Version, and those alone_neither more nor less, whereever practicable; merely throwing them into the form of one or other of the usual singing Stanzas or Verses. And it is remarkable that, by a very singular coincidence, those, namely the Metres* or Measures generally used in our Churches_the Common-the Long— and the Short, besides their general suitableness to the purpose in a just sufficient length or extent, are peculiarly adapted to convey the Hebrew Text; one or the other of them for the most part answering precisely to its verses or lines whether whole or hemistich a long one or a short: A particular, this, which perhaps has not been taken sufficient notice. of by those who contend for a greater variety of form in them but even for which the usual Peculiar Metres give an all-sufficient diversity.

In fewer words This Version is merely THE PSALMS put into verse for singing, and "Fitted to the Tunes used in Churches": Just what was designed by THE OLD VERSION; and done by it in a style very proper for its own day, tho now grown unsuitable to ours. THE NEW VERSION seems somewhat more ambitious, and to have aimed at "improving" them by altering their phraseology; but, as in so much departing from both their sense and spirit, giving much less general satisfaction at its first appearance and now every day still less.+

* Of these a short account is given below.

+ It can hardly be doubted that this dissatisfaction with the Authorised Versions, whether THE OLD or THE New, is one great reason_if not indeed the principal____ why THE PSALMS have of late years been so much discontinued to be used in our Church-singing; and for which has been sub